BJK CUP: KAZAKHSTAN DEFEATS AUSTRALIA AS BIRRELL PRODUCES GALLANT FIGHT

(Getty/Chris Hyde)

Kazakhstan has taken an unassailable 2-0 advantage against Australia and looks most likely to qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. 

World No.10 Elena Rybakina won a tight match against Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 6-3 7-6(4) in one hour and 26 minutes.  

It follows Aussie Maya Joint’s earlier loss to Yulia Putintseva.

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Birrell, ranked No.61 in the world, gave the former Wimbledon champion a scare when taking a 5-1 lead in the second set. 

However, Rybakina’s class began to flourish. 

After saving a set point, she found another gear to claw back the deficit and eventually take out the win. 

She told the crowd she was delighted to earn the win for Kazakhstan. 

"Super happy to bring a win for the team," she said. 

"Thank you for supporting me, it’s always nice to be back in Australia and in Brisbane. Not the easiest time of year for us but good to be back."

For Birrell, the 26-year-old can take a lot away from the match, despite now going 0-5 in BJK Cup matches. She was also up 3-1 in the opening set before dropping the next five games.

Can Australia still win the Group?

Australia needs to win the group of three nations to earn a spot at the BJK Cup finals later this year. 

They will now need Colombia to beat the strong Kazakhstan team tomorrow. 

If the unthinkable does happen, they will need to defeat Colombia on Saturday and then hope countbacks go their way. 

A win in the final doubles match today will help Australia's record if that scenario were to occur. 

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